Tables in Wonderland- Beware

[koleta@mickey]

I will preface this by saying if it is a stupid question I apologize in advance, but here goes....

If i have the regular DDP and TIW card and use them both at a meal...say I want appetizers and alcohol. Will the 18% tip only be added on to the OOP expenses, or to what the entire meal would have cost?

TIA

 

[suemom2kay]

I've always mentioned having TiW to our server at the beginning of the meal, and I don't feel like I've had anything less than great service - except for the guy at Jiko who wasn't giving us the time of day, apparently because we weren't ordering alcohol (determined from a distinct change in demeanor when we declined alcohol, and the level of service he provided other tables getting cocktails and wine).

LOL! Sounds like that guy was a weeny. Wouldn't have mattered whether you mentioned TiW or not! I never mentioned it 'cause I was always just asked if we were on the Dining Plan and we always said no.

I think the majority of waiters would do their best no matter "discount" or full price.

 

[larryz]

The problem is this statement from your original post:

That is a pretty rude statement to make regarding most of the wait staff at WDW. Your post was not a friendly warning to read receipts. You acccused "most of the servers" of trying to milk you for an extra tip. Something I NEVER experienced in 11 days in September. That is the problem people have with your post.

OP wasn't referring to "most of the servers" at WDW. She was referring to "most of the servers" with whom she came in contact. Unless she ate at every TS venue, in every server's territory, there's no logical way she could have experienced most of the servers at WDW.

By the same token, YOU didn't experience "most of the servers" at WDW during YOUR 11 days of vacation dining. I could make the same argument that the small sample of servers you experienced is not sufficient to conclude that "most of the servers" at WDW are honest, hardworking people.

More logic, less hyperbole, please.

 

[suemom2kay]

OP wasn't referring to "most of the servers" at WDW. She was referring to "most of the servers" with whom she came in contact. Unless she ate at every TS venue, in every server's territory, there's no logical way she could have experienced most of the servers at WDW.

By the same token, YOU didn't experience "most of the servers" at WDW during YOUR 11 days of vacation dining. I could make the same argument that the small sample of servers you experienced is not sufficient to conclude that "most of the servers" at WDW are honest, hardworking people.

More logic, less hyperbole, please.

Wow Larry! I said WDW instead of "most of the servers OP experienced" and I used hyperbole in my post!!!! If anyone used hyperbole it would be OP, who said Most of the servers were trying to milk her. But thank you for bringing hyperbole into the thread. It is most helpful.

I'm sure you could make many many arguments LarryZ

 

[Tramp68]

It is very up front about the tip being added.

I personally hate the fact that they do it, because I have a problem with adding additional tips for the great wait person. My reasoning is this:

If I get crappy service that I may tip 10% or so for, I do not have the option. I would normally do a 20-25% tip of the ENTIRE bill (tax included) But, I am not going to do this if I do not have the option.

 

[suemom2kay]

It is very up front about the tip being added.

I personally hate the fact that they do it, because I have a problem with adding additional tips for the great wait person. My reasoning is this:

If I get crappy service that I may tip 10% or so for, I do not have the option. I would normally do a 20-25% tip of the ENTIRE bill (tax included) But, I am not going to do this if I do not have the option.

But you can add additional tip. This is how OP thinks servers were allegedly trying to "milk" additional tips out of her.

 

[sharadoc]

Sorry, didn't read the whole thread, but there are always discussions about the tip vs. the 20% discount on here. You know the ones - "it's not such a great savings because you save 20% but they add an 18% tip" threads.

The restaurants and Disney Dining Plan boards always have discussions about DDP vs. TIW with details of both. This thread should probably be moved there too!

 

[wendyt_ca]

Just curious... what country are you in where a 10 percent tip is standard?

Canada. Mind you Canada is an incredibly large country so I doubt it is the standard country wide. But from my area it is. Mind you I think the standard on tipping depends on the the cost of living and income for people in that region. There is people who tip higher but it's not really the norm. Most people I know couldn't believe the 18% gratuity when I mentioned it. As I said I don't see it as a big deal and feel I am still saving money so I am good.

 

[quirty30]

Just 2 brief points to make here:

1) I believe the tip is added for TiW now because some people were tipping on the reduced amount. The tip should be based on the total before the discount.

2) If you are using TiW and feel like your service is truly inferior, I'm sure you can talk to a manager and have the gratuity removed, then add what you feel is more appropriate.

 

[Tramp68]

But you can add additional tip. This is how OP thinks servers were allegedly trying to "milk" additional tips out of her.

I know I CAN add additional tip...I just refuse to do it when the amount is taken out of my hands. I do the same thing when they do the parties of 6 or more crap at some restaurants. Again, I just feel if they are going to dictate my tip, then that is all they get.

I have heard that they cannot force you to leave a tip and that it can be adjusted. I just dont know anyone that would request to have it lowered...

 

[Sammie]

Maybe instead of Beware, it would have been more accurate to say

Be Aware.

 

[Florida Dreamin']

Nothing says 21st century like pointing fingers! Seriously, this is why every time you spend money read over everything. It's your own fault.

 

[soxfan11901]

I know I CAN add additional tip...I just refuse to do it when the amount is taken out of my hands. I do the same thing when they do the parties of 6 or more crap at some restaurants. Again, I just feel if they are going to dictate my tip, then that is all they get.

.

So you have a problem with a Disney/Restaurant policy and you show your disapproval by leaving less than you normally would for the server?
That only hurts the server, who doesn't make the policy.

 

[rsimon]

An 18% tip is always included when you use the TIW card, so no need to look and see if a tip was added when using it, it WILL be added.

Well.. it is included on MOST bills.. At Wolfgang Puck it isn't and of course at Flame Tree BBQ.

 

[bumbershoot]

I have heard that they cannot force you to leave a tip and that it can be adjusted. I just dont know anyone that would request to have it lowered...

My cousin *should* have done so. She chose not to. And now she absolutely hates a restaurant that was fairly decent, because she chose to not take her righteous problems to a manager; heck, if she'd even mentioned that she was NOT HAPPY to the *server*, and given the server a chance to fix the problem, it would have been better!

That only hurts the server, who doesn't make the policy.

I agree.

 

[kaytieeldr]

We purchased tables in wonderland this trip. It has already paid for itself on this one trip, but one thing that really bothered us was the fact that the tip was included and that was not advertised. As you're well aware, the mandatory 18% service charge absolutely is publicized*, and that it doesn't have to be advertised. Only ONE server pointed out that the tip was included to us. While that was considerate, most servers likely expect that Guests so familiar with WDW that they'd even have a Tables in Wonderland card would already know about the mandatory service charge. Our server at Tony's even folded the payment slip in such a way to hide the included tip section! Talented I know a little origami; I'd like to practice on dollar bills, but I can't seem to hold onto them long enough If we hadn't unfolded it, we wouldn't have noticed the included tip charge. That is just wrong. We are people that check receipts to make sure they are correct, but I suspect most people would just put in a tip and sign (especially after having a few drinks). That's a surprisingly sorry opinion of other persons' behavior and responsibility You make it sound as if you're the only people to display good judgment (hint: labeling something stupid and then laughing about it belies that self-assessment).

We felt that most of the servers were milking us for an extra tip. We love the program, but make sure you read your receipt!

Really? Because one server folded your receipt in a way you thought was deceiving?

 

[Tara922c]

When I worked as a server we were trained not to tell people that gratuity was added. (we did it on parties of 10 or more) I guess the restaurant figured if the people are paying cash then they are going to look at the total, and the majority of places put a gratuity on larger parties. We were not allowed to talk about tips in general to our guests. (well unless they asked) If someone paid with a credit card the actual gratuity amount would print out in the space that was meant for a tip, and there was an extra line to leave an additional tip. There was a way for the server to put the entire total on the total line, and make it look as if the gratuity wasn't added. I did it on accident, and told the people about it, and they still left me an extra 20. I was suspended for 3 days, and lost the initial tip AND the extra 20! The restaurant took that very seriously! (they were behind the times and we had to manually enter our credit card payments into credit card terminals)

My advice ALWAYS check your bill! I use to have the bad habit of not looking at my receipt, and slipping in my debit card. Well once I got my slip back to sign, and the total said 300 bucks, and was only paying for myself! Turns out the server accidently rang up another tables food with my debit card. It was fixed, but that 300dollars was pending on my account for 48 hours. Wouldn't have been such a big deal but those were my young and very broke days!!

 

[Tara922c]

I know I CAN add additional tip...I just refuse to do it when the amount is taken out of my hands. I do the same thing when they do the parties of 6 or more crap at some restaurants. Again, I just feel if they are going to dictate my tip, then that is all they get.

I have heard that they cannot force you to leave a tip and that it can be adjusted. I just dont know anyone that would request to have it lowered...

Just so you know, I waited tables in 3 different restaurants. All 3 had a policy that we added gratuity to parties of 8 or more (one was 10 or more). All 3 the server did not have a choice whether or not to do this. Why? Because of discrimination reasons. If a guest asked to leave it off so that they could dictate their own tip, we had to leave it off. Please don't punish the server for a policy they HAVE to follow.

 

[wendyt_ca]

I know I CAN add additional tip...I just refuse to do it when the amount is taken out of my hands. I do the same thing when they do the parties of 6 or more crap at some restaurants. Again, I just feel if they are going to dictate my tip, then that is all they get.

I have heard that they cannot force you to leave a tip and that it can be adjusted. I just dont know anyone that would request to have it lowered...

I do agree with you on the fact a restaurant should not dictate what you give as a tip. In my opinion a tip should be optional and at your own discretion and really only if the server impressed you not just for doing their jobs. In today's society it has become something that is expected and if you don't do it or don't do enough then you are a terrible person. Just my opinion.

 

[lovesdumbo]

If a person isnt going to read their reciepts, then, that is there bad. But you basically insinuated in your original post that the waiter folded the reciept in a way that would hide the 18% on the bill - again - insinuating that he/she was trying to scam an additional tip out of you. Really?

I have had TIW since before it was TIW and since before they added the 18% tip. I have probably used it for at least 100 meals. I have had two servers fold the reciepts in a way that to me looked like they were trying to hide the added tip. So 2 out of 100 isn't a huge problem but I do believe the OP.

I've been a TiW holder for years even before the mandatory tip was implemented and always gave 20% even with average service. However even though I like the TiW I dislike the idea of making any tip mandatory as a tip should be earned. Otherwise what is the incentive to deliver great service?...But I totally see and understand why they did this as no doubt the "cheapo" crowd would probably not tip or tip way less even with good service despite getting a 20% discount on food and drinks...hence a mandatory tip.

I thought the mandatory tip for TIW was a result of a union contract. They started added the mandatory tip to TIW when they stopped including the tip with DDP.